In Hinamori Momo's heart, Aizen occupied an overwhelming place.
And yet, the person she respected the most had personally taken her life.
She simply couldn't accept that reality.
Subconsciously, Momo sealed off her heart and accepted the fact that she had been killed by Aizen. That very choice was what interfered with Sōten Kisshun—her heart had already died.
Tsuna glanced at Hitsugaya. Immediately, Hitsugaya crawled closer, his face full of urgency.
"Mr. Sawada… how is Momo?"
To be honest, Tsuna didn't really want to save her.
He respected Momo's choice. If she had even the slightest will to live, Orihime's rejection of phenomena would not have failed.
But Hitsugaya's nearly pleading gaze softened him.
After a silent sigh, Tsuna explained the situation.
"Prepare yourself," he said calmly. "Hinamori Momo has already accepted her own death. You can think of it as… her heart is dead."
"As for why she's still alive—it's because of Sōten Kisshun. The moment Orihime withdraws it, she will immediately die."
"…Isn't there any way to save her?!" Hitsugaya asked desperately.
"There is—but it would be forced."
"As long as she remains within Sōten Kisshun, if we forcibly restore her physical body, we can maintain her life."
"That's great—"
"Don't celebrate yet!" Tsuna cut him off sharply.
"Even if you save her like that, only her body will live. Her heart will remain dead. If you can't awaken her will to live, what you're saving is nothing more than a living corpse."
Hitsugaya collapsed to the ground.
He couldn't accept it.
Why… why did she run to Sōkyoku Hill despite the prohibition…?
"Momo…"
"Orihime can't stay with her forever," Tsuna said firmly. "Make your choice, Captain Hitsugaya. Save her—or not."
This was the first time Tsuna addressed him formally.
Hitsugaya felt no pride in it.
After a long silence, he turned stiffly and said:
"…Please, Mr. Sawada. Save Momo."
…Another fool driven by attachment.
Tsuna sighed inwardly, then called out:
"Ichigo! Get over here and pull Captain Hitsugaya away—he's in the way!"
Once the "obstruction" was removed, Tsuna drew his Zanpakutō.
"Bankai—Crush adversity, illuminate the earth… Sun—!"
It had been a while since he used his Sun Attribute Bankai.
But this time, instead of equipping his combat gear, he activated the bracelet on his arm.
"Come out—Kangaryū!"
A full-sized kangaroo appeared, wearing boxing gloves and carrying twin cannons on its back. The barrels emitted Sun Attribute Dying Will Flame.
Tsuna's plan was simple.
If Momo's heart refused recovery, then he would bypass her will entirely—
and forcibly stimulate her body's cellular activity.
"Kangaryū—fire high-density Sun Attribute rounds."
Kangaryū responded immediately. The twin cannons adjusted, firing two concentrated golden blasts.
Orihime cooperated perfectly—she momentarily withdrew Sōten Kisshun at the instant of firing, then restored it, allowing the projectiles through.
Momo's body was engulfed in golden flames.
Under the effect of the Sun Attribute, her cellular activity surged, and the wound in her chest began healing—slowly, almost imperceptibly.
With the Demon Lens still over his eye, Tsuna observed carefully.
Only after confirming the recovery did he let out a breath.
Good thing Kangaryū didn't use the wrong ammunition. If it had fired hyper-activation rounds instead… Momo might have died even faster.
"Mr. Sawada?!" Hitsugaya shouted hoarsely.
"Let him go, Ichigo," Tsuna said. "She's stabilizing. The wound is healing. With Kangaryū watching over her, she'll be fine."
Hitsugaya broke free and rushed forward—
Only to trip flat on his face due to his injuries.
Tsuna couldn't take it anymore.
"Kangaryū, give 'Shiro' one shot too. Honestly—you've lived over a hundred years and you're still this reckless."
Hitsugaya, who always prided himself on his maturity, flushed red.
After receiving treatment, he stood up, his body itching from recovery—but able to move normally again.
He quickly made his way to Momo's side and knelt down.
"Ahem… Tsuna-kun, could I also receive some treatment?"
Nearby, others had already grown envious. Even Ukitake Jūshirō spoke up.
Tsuna refused without hesitation.
"Hitsugaya was an emergency—and he's young. What about you? Planning to burn your lifespan for recovery? Or do you really think you can't die?"
The Sun Attribute's forced cellular activation came at a cost—
it consumed vitality, even lifespan.
And Ukitake's condition made it even worse.
Tsuna suspected that Mimihagi only prevented immediate death from his illness—but his body would still age. Once he died naturally, Mimihagi would simply choose a new host.
He even suspected the first Squad 13 captain might have been a previous host.
That shut everyone up.
They obediently waited for Squad 4.
Meanwhile, Yamamoto watched Tsuna closely.
Including this, Tsuna had now displayed three different Bankai.
A talent like this…
…should be considered as a future Captain-Commander candidate.
Yes—even though Tsuna was still a high school student, Yamamoto was already planning a century ahead.
From his perspective, this was perfectly reasonable.
Letting Kyōraku run things for a hundred years was tolerable.
Longer than that? Risky.
Soon, Squad 4 and the Central Medical Institute arrived.
Kyōraku had even gone back to fetch Nanao—he had quickly realized just how indispensable she was.
Under Kotetsu Isane's coordination, treatment was carried out efficiently. Each captain was assigned multiple healers.
Even Zaraki Kenpachi was forcibly made to undergo Kaido treatment.
The Central Medical Institute, however, had a clear priority—
Byakuya Kuchiki and Yoruichi Shihōin.
After all, only great noble families could afford their services.
As for Mayuri Kurotsuchi—he had already left.
After receiving initial treatment from Unohana's Shikai, he had injected himself with something and recovered enough to walk.
Before leaving, Tsuna even overheard him planning to use this injury as an opportunity for experimental modification.
…Typical Mayuri.
After everything settled, Isane reported to Kyoraku, who then approached Tsuna again.
"Sawada-kun, I'll have to trouble you once more."
"You'd be better off letting them recover slowly with Kaido," Tsuna replied.
"We don't have that luxury," Kyōraku said. "With three captains defecting and most of the others injured, some cost is necessary to stabilize Soul Society."
"…Fine. Lay them out in a circle."
Soon, the wounded were arranged around Tsuna and Kangaryū.
"Kangaryū—it's up to you."
The kangaroo nodded.
Golden flames ignited, deepening until its entire body shone white.
Like sunlight, the radiance spread across all the injured.
A gentle warmth washed over them—their wounds itching as they healed.
This method was far milder than direct bombardment, causing less harm, though slower. It wasn't suitable for battlefield use—but perfect for recovery.
Tsuna nodded, confirmed the output—
—and immediately stepped out of the circle.
He quite liked his current hairstyle. No need to risk burning it off.
Watching this, Yamamoto could no longer hold back.
Compared to Kaido's one-by-one healing, this ability was invaluable.
He stepped forward.
"Sawada Tsunayoshi—would you consider joining the Gotei 13?"
"…Huh?"
Tsuna blinked.
"I'm still a living human. And I'm not interested in becoming a Substitute Shinigami."
He refused immediately.
He had no intention of spending his youth in Soul Society.
Yamamoto shook his head.
"No. I'm not asking you to become a Substitute Shinigami."
"If you agree, I will establish a new division for you to command."
"You may remain stationed in the Human World. Unless summoned for major events, you will not be required to participate in Soul Society's affairs."
"Other than the Captain-Commander—no one will have authority over you."
Tsuna froze.
…Was this really the same rigid old man?
A new division?
This basically meant independent command.
Now that… was tempting.
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